Press Releases

Today, as we mark World AIDS Day together, let us remember those we have lost to this terrible disease and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that those who have tested positive for HIV-AIDS receive the care and support they need to live long and normal lives.

I join in thanking Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel for his service to our nation. Under his watch, our military has continued to tackle threats to our national security and to the security of our allies while adjusting to new budget realities and becoming a nimbler force.

I join in congratulating Co-Chairs Raúl Grijalva and Keith Ellison on being chosen to continue leading the Congressional Progressive Caucus, along with Whip Barbara Lee and Vice Chairs Sheila Jackson-Lee, Mike Honda, Jan Schakowsky, and David Cicilline.

This is about helping people. This is about doing what, from a humanitarian standpoint and moral standpoint, is right. This is about doing what is economically for our country what is right and [the Congressional Budget Office] says will help our economy.

I don't think we ought to ignore Republicans at all. They're in the majority, both in the Senate and House in the next Congress, and they're a very important player. The President, as [Senator] Mitch McConnell indicates, is a very important player, and we democrats are going to participate.

As you know, about 18 months ago the Senate passed a comprehensive immigration bill, supported by the Chamber of Commerce, by the AFL-CIO, by growers and farm workers, and faith groups. It had broad support.

I am very pleased to join so many of my colleagues, and so many veterans. We celebrated Veterans Day yesterday, and we said great things about veterans. Action is what these families want; families – to make sure they’re unified. This is a moral and an economic issue for our country.